Ryanair adds 14 routes with record Dublin summer schedule

Ryanair is adding 14 destinations with a record summer schedule of 130 routes from Dublin.

The Irish no-frills carrier is to run more than 2,000 flights a week with new destinations including Newquay; Asturias and Castellon in Spain; Kos and Zante in Greece; and city break destinations such as Stockholm, Genoa and Leipzig.

The expansion will see annual capacity from the Irish capital raised to 16 million passengers with 10% growth on last summer.

Up to 16 new generation Boeing 737s will be part of a 33-strong fleet based at Dublin.

However, the airline took a sideswipe at the airport warning that future growth  is dependent on “competitive” airport charges. 

Ryanair said in a statement: “Airports across Europe continue to incentivise traffic recovery, Ryanair is the only airline of scale, with 110 aircraft still to be delivered that can meaningfully deliver traffic recovery and will locate those aircraft at the most competitive airports. 

“Sadly charges are set to rise by up to 45% at Dublin airport and that will inevitably mean Ryanair locating future aircraft and route expansion elsewhere in Europe. 

“The post-Covid recovery incentives in Ireland clearly demonstrated that Ryanair responds to lower costs with more seat capacity and new routes. 

“That winning formula of lower costs was central to the post covid recovery of air traffic in Ireland which was driven by Ryanair, with more connectivity and tourism growth. 

“Dublin airport needs to remain competitive verses other European airports, with low cost, efficient facilities and services to support the Irish economy which is highly dependent on low cost air access.”